Dumping containers



m Sept 6, 1960 J. G. WALDEN ETAL 2,951,692

v DUMPING CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 26, 11.956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 n u n im INVENTORS ATTORNEY Sept 6 1960 J. G.' wALDEN Erm. 2,951,662

nuMPxNG CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 26, 1956 4 Sheets-Sham. 2

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0 INVENTORS BY JM wm ATTORNEYS Sept. 6, 1960 .1. G. wALDEN ETAL DUMFING CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 26 1956 Sept 6, 1960 J. G.- WLDEN r- TAL 2,951,602

DUMP'ING. CONTAINERS piled sept. 26, 1956 4 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTORS JOHN ooamf MME/v,

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BY t WWA# ATTORNEY United States Patent O DUMPING CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 26, 1956, Ser. No. 612,279

7 Claims. (Cl. 214-304) This invention relates to improvements in dumping containers and more particularly to containers of the type used for the collection of refuse, such as garbage, trash and the like.

Such containers are usually provided for use/with a 'body and -a hopper or opening into which the refuse can bedumped from the container, and means is usually provided on the body for lifting the container to a dumping position with respect to the body. Ordinarily, the container is lifted `at the front of the vehicle by a pair of arms, or other suitable means, which detachably engages the container and raises it to its dumping position.

Containers of this type are provided ordinarily with covers to maintain the same in closed relation during filling separate and apart from the body. In picking up the container for dumping and during the act of dumping, the contents are often spilled out, due to the turning over or upsetting of the containerin the act of dum-ping, not fully and effectively dumping the contents into the body or hopper. This is especially objectionable during windy Weather and where light materials are employed, which ,may he blown out of the open top of the container or spill out on the ground. I

`One object of this invention is to overcome the foregoing objections and to insure of effective dumping of the contents, without appreciable spillage or resulting blowing of the contents out of the open top of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the elective closure of the lid of the container during the `act of dumping until the container reaches its dumping position when the lid may be opened automatically and the contents discharged into the body or hopper.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for vlatching the lid of the container in closed position in a simple and eiective manner without adding appreciably "to the cost of the container or the bulkiness thereof, and yet to permit effective opening of the latch to release the -lid when the container reaches its dumping position.

These objects of the invention may be accomplished, according to one embodiment thereof, by providing a container with a lid hinged or otherwise movably mounted "thereon, capable of opening and discharging the contents from the container, especially by tipping the container upside down. A latch is provided on the container, normally in holding relation to the lid, to hold the latter Vclosed during the raising of the container, substantially to wits dumping position, where the latch is automatically released, permitting opening of the lid to discharge the contents into the bodyV or hopper. This prevents eiec- "tively the spillage of the contents or the blowing out from Ithe container of light materials therein during the raising "and partial tipping over of the container, and results in "an effective discharge of the contents directly into the body or hopper, without appreciable spillage.

" The embodiment described is illustrated in the accomrpanying drawings, in which: Fig. l is a side elevation of a dumping vehicle having ICC hoisting means and a container, and showing the latter by dotted lines in several positions with respect to the vehicle;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the container in picking-up position, and showing the lifting means and lid latch in relation thereto;

Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing the lifting arms partially raised and the latch in contact with the lid;

Fig. 4 is a similar View in a further raised position;

Fig. 5 is a similar view, showing the container partially tipped over;

Fig. 6 is a similar view, with the container in its dumping position relative to the hopper; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the lid latch.

Referring to the dumping vehicle, yas illustrated in Fig. l, the invention is shown in connection with a vehicle of the general type using an articulated arm elevating mechanism. The hoisting mechanism is used, however, in connection with a detachable container that may be filled separately from the hoisting mechanism and then elevated thereby for dumping into the body of the Vehicle.

As illustrated in Fig. l, the vehicle chassis is designated generally by the numeral 1, beingof 4the usual poweroperated, self-propelled vehicle having a cab section 2 at the front thereof, which usually encloses the driving engine. A hopper body is shown at 3, which is of the type having a hopper 4 at the front end thereof adapted to receive lthe refuse when the container is in the dumping position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. The body 3 may 4be provided with means for compacting the refuse therein, as is well understood in this art.

The hoisting mechanism, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises a pair of articulated arms 15 mounted at opposite sides of the vehicle. Each of the articulated arms 15 comprises a lifting arm 16 and an arm extension 17 pivoted together at 18, adapted for relative swinging motion to the several positions indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l.

These arms 16 and 17 are connected together also by a hydraulic power device, generally indicated at 19, which, upon relative movement of the piston with respect to the cylinder thereof, causes a folding of the arm extension 17 relative to the lifting arm 16 of each articulated unit 15. The lifting arm 16 is pivotally supported at 20 on the chassis frame 1 intermediate the length of said lifting arm. A hoisting unit 21 is pivotally connected at 22 with the extreme rearward end of the lifting arm 16, and is mounted at 23 on the chassis frame 1.

Thus, operation of the hydraulic power device 21 will cause swinging movement of the lifting arm 16, as illustrated in the diieren't positions indicated in Fig. l, with respect tothe chassis frame 1. If desired, the hydraulic power device 19 may be moved, at the same time or separately, -to accomplish relative swinging movement of the arm extension 17 with respect to the lifting arm 16 ofv each articulated arm 15, as also indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. These power devices 19 and 21 are preferably double-acting hydraulic power devices and are controlled in suitable manner from provisions within the cab 2.

The arm extensions 17 are spaced apart on opposite sides of the vehicle and are adapted to receive a container C therebetween. However, these arm extensions are provided with a dumping arm Z4, in the form of a bar eX- tending transversely between the respective arm extensions 17, intermediate the length thereof.

At the forward end of each arm extension 17, a hook member, generally `indicated at 25, is provided, having a fork-shaped recess therein, as indicated at 26, and which recess may be closed by a latch plate 27 pivoted at 28 on the hook member 25, when the arm extensions 17 are moved to the extreme upper and right hand positions, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The hoisting unit described above is adapted for use with a dumping container which is detachable from the hoisting unit and is capable of being dumped into the hopper 4 of the hopper body 3. This dumping container is indicated at C in Fig. l and is described more in detail in connection with Figs. 2 to 7.

The form of the container shown is of the tilt-type having a closed bottom and surrounding walls and with a normally open top. The open top of the container preferably is substantially closed by a lid, generally indicated at 30, hinged `at 3i to the body of the container C. One or more lids may be used to close the top, according to the size of the container and the shape and characteristics of the top structure thereof.

l At the opposite ends of the container, lifting pins are secured to the end walls thereof, as indicated at 32.. These lifting pins 32 project out from the respective end walls sufficiently to be engaged by the forks 25 of the hoisting members as the vehicle is moved into proximity with the container for support of the'oontainer on the vehicle and for dumping the contents into the hopper 4 of the body 3, as will be apparent from the several positions indicated in Figs. 2 to 6.

The rear wall of the container is provided with one or more dumping brackets thereon, indicated generally at 33. Each bracket is provided with a socket or recess 31% therein, in position to receive the dumping arm 24 during the action of the hoisting means, as shown in Figs. 4, Sand 6.

During the action of the hoisting means, when the container C is partly turned over, as, for example, in the positions illustrated in Figs. l and 5 in which the lifting -arms are extended vertically, the hinged lid 3i) would have a tendency to swing open in such position of the container and allow some spillage of the contents from the container. This is true especially if light-weight papers or other loose material is contained therein and the container is filled substantially to the top, To avoid this difliculty and objection, we have provided for latching the lid closed during this operation by latch means that functions in cooperation with the lid on the container, one embodiment of which is illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6, and in more detail in Fig. 7.

According to this embodiment, the dumping arm 24 `is provided with a pair of upstanding brackets 35 spaced apart lengthwise thereof. A hinge pin 36 extends through the brackets 35 and in bridging relation between the pair of brackets. Arms 37 are journaled on the hinge pin 36 at the respective brackets 35. The opposite ends of the Varms 37 from the hinge pin 36 support a roller 38 extending in bridging relation therebetween and supported by a pin 39 connected with the free ends of the arms 37.

The arms 37 are normally pressed downward by the action of helical torsion springs 4i), two of which are shown in Fig. 7, sleeved over the hinge pin 36 and held spaced apart by a spacer 41 interposed therebetween. Each torsion spring 40 is anchored at `one end to the hinge pin and has a projecting opposite end portion, indicated at 42, seated in a recess in a bracket 43 provided on the inner face of the adjacent arm 37. ln this way each torsion spring 4? tends to bear downward upon an arm 37. These spring-pressed arms, acting through theV roller 38, will apply yieldable pressure to the lid 30, tending to hold the lid normally closed until the container C reaches substantially to its dumping position.

One or both of the arms 37 is provided with a release arm 44 that may be welded to one of the arms 37 and extending upwardly therefrom. The release arm 44 has a curved or hook-shaped end, indicated at 45, in position to engage a lip or rod 46 on the free edge of the hopper 4. This action raises the yieldable pressure of the roller 38 from the lid and allows the lid to drop open when the container reaches its dumping position, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

The operation will be apparent from the foregoing description and from the sequence of positions illustrated in Fig. 1, and also in Figs. 2 to 6.

The container is normally lled separate and apart from the vehicle, and the vehicle is moved into engagement with the container for picking it up and automatically raising it to its dumping position where its contents are discharged into the hopper 4 of the body 3.

The initial position of the hoisting means with respect to the container is illustrated in Fig. 2, where the lifting pins 32 have entered the throat 26, but not to a nal position with respect to the latter. The lid latch in this position does not touch the container or thelid thereof, but is entirely separate and free from the lid.

As the lifting arms 17 swing upward' to the position shown in Fig. 3, the container tilts to such a position that the automatic latch exerts a pressure on top of the lids before the container reaches the final position with respect to the dumping arm. The continued upward movement of the arms i7 raises the container automatically to its dumping position with respect to the arms 17 and the Idumping a'rm 24 enters the recesses 34 in the brackets 33. The automatic lid latch exerts more pressure on the lid or lids of the container, thereby holding the latter closed, as shown in Fig. 4.

This action continues as the container is tipped over. When the arms i7 have reached their fully extended verftical positions, the lids 3i) normally would drop open, due to the sloping top of the container provided in the illustrated embodiment, but for the pressure exerted thereon by the automatic latch 3'7-43, and this latch continues to hold the lid or lids closed during this tipping action of the container and the movement thereof substantially to its dumping position. As the lifting arms pass their vertical position, the container is revolved on the axis of the lifting pins 32, with the lid or lids 30 at the bottom of the container in such position. As'the container is thus lowered substantially to the hopper 4, the release arm 44- engages the edge of the hopper or Vthe lip 46 provided thereon, thereby swinging the roller arms 37 about the axis of the pin 36 against the tension of the springs 40 sufficiently to raise the roller 38 from the l-id or lids 3i). This, in turn, releases the lid or lids, allowing the latter to drop open, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The opening of the lid or lids will allow the contents to be discharged into the hopper 4 of the body 3 or the opening provided in the latter.

In the reverse action of the container, the automatic lid latch will close, and the lid 30 will rest, during the return to the lling position, upon the roller alms 3 7 land the roller 38. Y

The latch forms part of the dumping mechanismV and does not interfere with the use of the container for lling. However, it is brought into operative relation with the container to hold the lid or lids thereof closed until the container is ready for dumping. This prevents the contents from spilling out and insures of the effective and complete discharge of the contents directly intothe hopper or body.

The latch structure is simple and inexpensive and does not add appreciably to the complexity or cost of either the container or the hoisting mechanism.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein, without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

We claim:

l. The combination with a dumping container having an opening in the top thereof and a lid normally closing the opening `and adapted to be moved therefrom for dumping the contents through said opening, of hoisting means for lifting the container to a dumping position, said hoisting means including a dumping arm connected therewith in position for engagement with the container, and Vlatch means carried by the dumping arm normally spaced from the lid in the engaging position of the dumping arm and in position to engage the lid during lifting of the container to hold the lid closed, said latch means having a release arm connected thereto for releasing the latch means when the container has been moved to a dumping position.

2. The combination with a dumping container having an opening in the top thereof and a lid normally closing the opening and adapted to be moved therefrom for dumping the contents through said opening, of hoisting means for lifting the container to a dumping position, said hoisting means including a dumping arm connected therewith in position for engagement with the container, latch means carried by the dumping arm normally spaced from the lid in the engaging position of the dumping arm and in position to engage the lid during lifting of the container to hold the lid closed until the container has been moved substantially to a dumping position, and means connected Wit-h the latch means for releasing the latch means from holding engagement with the lid automatieally when the container is moved to a dumping position.

3. The combination with a dumping container having an opening in the top thereof and a lid normally closing the opening and adapted to be moved therefrom for dumping the contents through said opening, of hoisting means for lifting the container to a dumping position, and latch means carried by the hoisting means normally spaced from the 4lid in the engaging position of the hoisting means with the container and in position for engaging the lid of the container to hold the lid closed during movement of the container substantially to a dumping position, said latch means comprising an arm having means on one end thereof for bearing on the lid, means pivotally supporting the arm at the opposite end thereof on the `hoisting means, and means yieldably urging the arm to lid engaging position.

4. The combination with a dumping container having an opening in the top thereof and a lid mounted on the container normally'closing the opening and ad-apted to be moved therefrom for dumping the contents through said opening to a place of deposit, of hoisting means for lifting the container to a dumping position, latch means on the hoisting means for holding the lid closed until the container is moved substantially to a dumping position, and means on said place of deposit in position for engaging the latch means in said dumping position for automatically releasing the lid.

5. The combination with a dumping container having an opening therein and -a lid mounted on the container normally closing the opening and adapted to be moved therefrom -for dumping the contents through said opening, said container normally resting on a supporting surface, of hoisting means for engaging and lifting the container off the supporting surface to a dumping position, said hoisting means including anarm mounted-for swinging movement and carrying means for engaging the container in one position of the arm to lift the container from the supporting surface to a dumping position, and means carried by the hoisting means normally spaced from the container lid when the arm is in container engaging position, said means being movable relative to the hoisting means during lifting movement off the container into bearing relation with the lid for holding the lid closed during said movement.

6. The combination with a dumping container having an opening therein and a lid mounted on lche container normally closing the opening and adapted to be moved therefrom for dumping the contents through said opening, said container normally resting on -a supporting surface, of hoisting means for engaging and lifting the container off the supporting surface to a dumping position, said hoisting means including an arm mounted for swinging movement and carrying means for engaging the container in one position of the arm to lift the container from the supporting surface to a dumping position, and means carried by the hoisting means normally spaced from the container lid when the arm is in container engaging position, said means being movable relative to the hoisting means during lifting movement of the container into bearing relation with the lid for holding the lid closed during said movement, said holding means being pivotally mounted on the yarm for bodily swinging movement upon lifting laction of the arm.

7. The combination with a dumping container having an opening therein and a lid mounted on the container normally closing the opening and adapted to be moved therefrom for dumping the contents through said opening, said container normally resting on a supporting surface, of hoisting means for engaging and lifting the container off the supporting surface to a dumping position, said hoisting means including an arm mounted for swinging movement and carrying means for engaging the container in lone position of the arm to lift the container from the supporting surface to a dumping position, means carried by the hoisting means normally spaced from the container lid when the arm is in container engaging position, said means being movable relative to the'hoisting means during lifting movement of the container into bearing relation with the lid for holding the lid closed during said movement, and means for automatically releasing the lid in said dumping position of the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,177,347 Mayer Mar. 28, 1916 1,776,034 Krahn Sept. 16, 1930 2,289,024 Lambert July 7, 1942 2,706,623 StyeS Apr. 19, 1955 2,784,025 Beckebach Mar. 5, 1957 

